Ballot-box



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

s1 TQBAGON.

Ballot Box.

Fig.1 Patented April 5,1881.

MPEIERS, FNOTD-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D 04 (NoMdeL) 3Sheets-She1; 2.

. S. T. BACON.

- Ballot Box. No. 239,637. Patented April 5,1881.

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3 Sheets.-8Iheet 3'.

(No Model.)

S. T. BACON. Ballot Box. No. 239,637.

Patented April 5,1881.

Fifi we; as

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

STEUBEN T. BACON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BALLOT-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,637, dated April 5, 1881.

Application filed December 18, 1880.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEUBEN TAYLOR BA- CON, of Boston, in the county of Suifolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvem entin Ballot-Boxes, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

The present invention relates to ballot-boxes, and has for its object to so construct such boxes as to prevent stuffing, repeating, personating, counting out, counting in, and, in a word, all or any of the numerous frauds practiced at elections by means of which the will of the people isdefeated.

In this invention the box is provided with a movable ballot-slide and ballot-cover, which are connected together and supported in the lid of the box. The ballots, when they are voted, are placed upon the slide and strung upon a rod secured within the box, the end of which projects through a slot in the ballot-slide. The ballot is then coveredwith a perforated metallic washer for the sake of identification, and for other purposes, hereinafter more fully set forth, audthe slide and cover are drawn out, allowing the ballot and washer to fall into the box while remaining still upon the rod. At the first movement of the slide and cover an alarm-bell is sounded, and the vote registered by an enumerator. Thedevjces by which these operations are performed will be fully explained hereinafter.

In order that it may not be possible to deposit a ballot without registering the vote in the euumerator, ratchet mechanism, of which a particular description is also given hereinafter, is provided, whereby the slide and cover are prevented from returning, when once started in either direction, until the limit of their movement in that direction has been reached. The slide and cover are so arranged that the interior of the box is never exposed, the cover passing over the ballot as the slide is drawn out. When the "oting has ceased a forked guard is inserted in slots in the sides of the box, its two branches passing on either side of the registering-rod and locked in position. The box canthen be opened, the forked guard serving to prevent tampering with the ballots while the registering-rod is being sealed, which (No model.)

is done by putting a wire through perforations in the extremities of the rod and clamping the ends of the wire with a suitable seal.

Tbeofficer who is dharged with the custody and operation of the box at elections makes official announcement at the opening of the polls that the box is empty, and that the enumerator indicates zero. This may be verified by the other officials. The polls now open, and the elector places or strings his ballot, face down, on the long hook or registering-rod. The officer, in his presence, places over the ballot a washer, draws the slide, which strikes a bell, covers up the ballot and washer and the opening through which they pass into the box, turns up figure 1 on the enumerator, and deposits both ballot and washer on the rod in the box. He then returns the slide to its first position, ready for the next ballot. If, therefore, several ballots are placed on the rod together, detection of error or stuffing is easy, for only one washer covers them,the bell rings but once, and the enumerator advances but a single unit for them all, so that the enumerator, the names checked, the position of the ballots and washer prove, by their testimony, the fact that errors or stuffing have been perpetrated, and show, also, their extent and political character. When the polls are closed, official announcement .is made of the number of ballots shown by the enumerator to have been consecutively voted, and that the officers will be justly required to account to the electors ofthat precinct for that number, no more and no less. The guard is now applied over the ballots and washers in the box, the latter is unlocked, the rod is sealed, and the ballots mixed, as described near the end of the specification.

When the ballots are to be canvassed the registering-rod, with the ballots and washers thereon and sealed in the manner described,is removed from the box and secured in a horizontal position by meansof clamps upon the box itself or upon a convenienttable. This is found to be a safe method of securing the'ballots during the canvass, since in keeping them in full view of the board of canvassers and of spectators of all political parties, and in such 'end of rod 1) projects through it.

with without detection, an honest and correct count can thereby be made without the removal of the ballots and washers from the rod.

Where it appears upon the canvass that each washer covers a single ballot only, it will be apparent that the vote is an honest one and entitled to be counted. Where,however, more than one single ballot is covered by a washer it is apparent that fraud, in the shape of stuffing, has been attempted, and the case may be treated as the law provides, either by casting out all the ballots deposited by such fraud ulent voter or allowing him the single' vote only which he is entitled to cast. By numbering the washers and placing a number corresponding to that on the washer covering a voters ballot opposite his name in the books at the polls such attempts at fraud can be traced to their source.

The box may be constructed of any suitable material. Metal, however, is preferred.

In order that others may be able to make and use this invention, it will now be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ballotbox embodying this invention; Figs. 2 and 3, detail views; Fig. 4, an elevation, partly in section, of the box with lid raised; Fig. 5, a section of same on line as -.t','Fi,L. 4; Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, detail views of the lid, illustrating the ratchet mechanism; Fig. 10,- a perspective of the'end of the hooded lever; Fig. 11, a perspective of the forked guard; and Figs. 12,

13, and 14., respectively, a plan, section, and perspective of ano'her form of ratchet mechanism. 1

In Fig. 1 are shown the ballot-slide a, .bal-

lot-cover a rooved led est in which the ballot-cover moves, and the lid 1;, said four devices together forming the top of the box, hinged at the back end; receptacle h for the end of spindle r, Fig. 4, holding the washers; escutcheon g over the key-hole of the lock; registering-rod b, with its fastening-wire and seal 70, perforated ballots e and perforated washers d thereon, held by clamps c-in position to be canvassed and-counted. Slot 1) is to permit the ballot-slide to move while the is the enumerator. The groove Zin the ballot-slide, in which the lip m projects, is to assist in keeping the ballot in position. The forked guard d is to prevent putting on or removing from the rod washers and ballots while said rod is being fastened with the sealing-wire and seal. This guard may be made to fully cover the washer and ballots. In order that the result of an election may be reached soon after the close of the polls, several registering-rods and seals may be used, so that the canvass may proceed while voting is in progress, in which events the clamps and rods may be placed on the canvassing-table. The ballot cover projects over each-end of the box, the front pro; jection serving as a handle to operate the box.

hammer and lever, 10, and trip 00.

, ballot-cover a.

\ draw out said slide and cover the coverwill com- The ballot-cover a and lid 12 are cut away to admit and afford room for the ballot on the slide. 7

Fig. 2 represents portions of the registeringrod I), provided with a hole near each end for the reception of the sealing-wire, with seal 7c attached.

Fig. 3 represents another portion of rod 1), held by clamp n, detached from the box.

Fig. 4 represents in its upper part a plan view of the parts connected with the under side of the lid vviz., the ballot-slide a, stop a thereon, lever q, pivoted at q, that operates the enumerator f,the latter being covered by a cap, 2, held in place bya screwin its center. The cap is designed to prevent tampering with the enumerator or the spindles which pass through it, and for further protection a seal maybe placed over this cap. The arms, fastened to the ballot-slide, has at one end ascrewpin, 8, which engages and moves in the slot in lever q, to operate the enumerators. The hanging bridge a is fastened at each end to the under side of lid 7). A portion of the upper side of this bridge a is cutaway to allow the trip 00 to pass above it. The bell t is operated by a The recess b is for the rear end of rod b to enter when the box is closed. The lower part of this figure shows the rod b held in place by clamp'n and guide 0, the spindle a, with washers (I, placed inside the box during the interval between elections, the washer and ballot-guard d in position, and the recess 12 for the end of lever q to move in. g

Fig. 5 represents in section the parts represented in Fig. 4 cut on the dotted line x no. The letter '1, Fig. 5, indicates a glass in the ballot-cover a, and over the recess above the enumerator f when the ballot slide and cover, which are fastened together at their front ends, are closed. The glass is to allow the figures on the enumerator to be seen at all times; also, that the interior of the box maybe seen when the cover is drawn out. The ordinary ballot box is open every time the slide is drawn out for the deposit of a ballot. By my invention it will be seen that the far end of the ballotslide passes under a portion of the lid 1; and Hence, upon commencing to men cc to cover the ballot and opening through which itpassesinto the box, and completelycovers said ballot and opening before said slide is fully drawn out. Parts oflid v are shown, a sufficientportion thereof being cut away to allow the ballot-slide to move. (Seen, also, in Fig. 4.) The lock is placed in the upper .side of the bridge a, in the space under the escutcheon g. The bolt ofthe lock, which enters the front end of the box, is seen at a. The stop 0. serves to arrest the slide and cover in its outward movement by striking against the upper side of the bridge a at 0, and in the inward movement against the lid 1;.

Fig. 6 represents an end view, partly in ver- IIO tical cross-section, of the upper part of the drawing of Fig. 1, cut on the dotted line 0 0. In this'figure, indicates the slots in the ballot-cover a, in which the projections 2 on the shipper 2 work. (See Fig. 8.)

Fig. 7 represents a sideview, in section, of the ratchet z,pawl and spiral spring 2' one each of such devices being on each side of the box.- The ratchets are attached to the under side of the cover a. The pawls, springs, and shippers are sunk into the upper side of the lid o. The spring 2 is to press against and hold the shipper 2 Fig. 8, in place.

Fig. 8 represents the shipper e and the box holding the spring and pawl. The end of the pawl is seen in the center of the shipper. The projections 2 on the shipper 2 work in slots 2 Figs. 6 and 9, in the under side of the ballot-cover, and near the extremity of its movement in either direction. Said projections strike against the stops 2 placed one at each end of slots 2, Fig. 9, bywhich means the pa wls 2 are shipped, so that the cover can be moved in the opposite direction, the ratchets and pawls permitting the movement of the slide and cover in only one direction until its full movement is completed. This full movement alternately shifts its pawl out of engagement with its ratchet and the other pawl into engagement with its ratchet.

Fig. 9 represents portions of ratchets 2, also portions of the slots 2 and stops 2 at one end of each of said slots. Similar stops are placed at the opposite ends of said slots. The escutcheon gtis also seen in this figure, connected with a'bolt, g, and spring 9 Said bolt works in a recess in one of the ledges i, Fig. 1, to prevent the movement of the ballot slide and cover after the close of the polls. The spring is to automatically cover the key-hole of the lock and force the bolt g into the ledge i. To allow the slide and cover to move during the voting the escutcheon g is moved around on the pivot at its center and over the screw g drawing the bolt 9 out of the ledge i. The screw 9 impinges or binds against the escutcheon and-overcomes the action of the spring. To operate the lock, turn the escutcheon until the key-hole of the lock is uncovered.

Fig. 10 represents the extreme end of the hooded lever g.

Fig. 11 represents the forked guard 01, to preserve intact the washers and ballots while the rod 11 is being fastened and sealed. While this guardis in its place in the side of the box it embraces the registering-rod b, so that neither ballots nor washers can be placed on.

or removed from said rod. The enumerator shown is constructed with three figured dials, which are moved by mechanism similar to that which moves the wheels of a clock, so that when the leverq forcesin the plunger of the en timerator the numbers advance automatically and consecutively with each outward movement of the ballot-slide from zero to one thousand. 1 do not claim to have invented such an enumerat-or, it beingIknown and used inthis country; but only claim the use and application of the same, or of other enumerators of ordinary or suitable construction,in connection with my ballot-box.

Fig. 12represents aplan view of ratchets A, double pawl B, shipper O, and spring D,whieh may be substituted for the devices heretofore described, and shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9,

for controlling the movement of the ballot- The double pawl, shipper, and.

spring are attached to the arm E, which is secured to the under side of the ballot-slide, so that one end of the pawl shall engage in one of the ratchets while the other end of the pawl is disengaged from its ratchet, and vice versa, whenever the movement of the slide brings the shipper 0 against either of the stops F, which serves to ship the pawl and permit the movement of the slide in the opposite direction. When either end of the pawl B is shipped from engagement with its ratchet the back end of spring D leaves its socket G and enters socket H, or vice versa, as the case may be. The office of these sockets, in conjunction with spring D, is to prevent either pawl from interfering with the movement of the slide and cover in one direction until its full movement is effected.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the ratchet mechanism shown in Fig. 12, and Fig. 14 a perspective view of the double pawl and shipper detached.

The operation is as follows: Turn the escutcheon 9 so that its bolt g will allow the ballot-slide a and cover a to move. Screw the spindle r with its washers into the recess It. Then place the ballot 0, face down, on the ballot-slide a, so that the pointed end of the registering-rod b will pass through the hole in the ballot. Put the Washer at over the ballot e on the rod 1). Now draw the ballot-slide a and ballot-cover a, and the ballot and washerwill fall into the box while still upon the rod. When the ballot-slide and ballotcover cominence moving the bell t will be rung, the enumeratorf, operated by the pin '8 moving in the slot of lever q, will register a number. The ballot-cover a will pass over the ballot and washer, and close the opening through which they pass into the box in advance of the opening caused by the drawing out of the ballotslide. Now return the slide and cover to the position shown in Fig. 1, ready to proceed with the further ballotingin the same manner. 1

The ratchcts z pawls 2 and shipper 2 are so constructed that the ballot slide and cover must be moved both out and in to their utmost limit, the ratchets and pawls not permitting a partial movement in either direction. This insures the ringing of the bell, the registering of a number on the enumcrator, the covering up of the ballot, and the opening through which it passes into the box, and the deposit of every ballot and washer on the rod in the box every time the slide and cover are drawn out. Upon the closing of the polls put the forked guard d through an opening in the side of the box, and lock it into the opposite side, unlock and open the box, put on the sealing-wire through the holes and slot in the registering-rod b, and into the metallic seal k in the usual manner, and unlock and remove the guard 61. Then hit an unknown quantity of ballots with their washers, and pass them over the sealed wire over to the opposite side of said rod. This operation may be repeated by other election officers, the effect being to mix the ballots similar to cutting cards, so that it cannot be ascertained how any elector voted. Now release the rod from the clamp n, and

place it, with its ballots and washers, within' the clamps c, to be canvassed and counted.

I claim 1. In a ballot-box, the combination of a slide and cover, means, as indicated, for preventing the return of said slide and cover until the limit of their movement in either direction is reached, a bell and an enumerator operated at each movement of said slide and cover, and a registering-rod for receiving the ballots as they are voted, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the ballot slide and cover with means, as indicated,.for preventing the return of said slide and cover in either direction until the limit of their movement is reached, substantially as described.

3. In a ballot-box, the ballot-slide in combination with a cover, both supported in the lid of the box so as to be lifted therewith to expose the contents of said box, and operating as described, so that the cover passes over the ballot when the slide is opened, and the ballot is admitted into the box without exposing the interior of the latter.

4. The combination, in a ballot-box, with the slide by opening which a ballot is introduced into the box, of a pawl-and-Iratchet mechanism, as indicated, to prevent the return of the slide until it has reached the end of its course, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the lid and cover of a ballot-box, ot the ratchets, pawls, and shippers, substantially as described.

6. In a ballot-box, a registering rod or rods, and means, as indicated, for securing the same within said box, so as to receive the ballots as they are voted, substantialty as described.

7 In a ballot-box having a slide as described, a registering-rod secured within said box, and having one end projecting through said slide, substantially-"as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In combination with a ballot-box, a registering-rod on which the ballots are strung as they are voted, and means, as indicated, for clamping the rod with the ballots thereon in a horizontal position during the canvassing of the latter, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination, with the ballot-box, slide, and cover, of a registering-rod and means, as indicated, for securing the same in said box, with the end projecting through said slide, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with the registeringrod, of a sealing-wire and seal, substantially as described.

11. In combination with the registering-rod ot' a ballot-box, perforated washers, as described, for separating and identifying the ballots strung upon said rod, as set forth.

12. Thecombination, with a ballot'box and registering-rod, of a forked guard, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

STEUBEN T. BACON.

Witnesses:

GEORGE G. GRooKER, URIEL H. GRooKER. 

